Clothes washing machine



Dec. 1, 1931. J. B. KIRBY CLOTHES WASHING 'llACl-IINE Filed Jan.

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1 m I A v Patented Dec. 1, 1931 UNITED STATES JAN-ES IB. KIRBY, OF WEST RICHFIELD, OHIO v CLOTHES WASHING MACHINE PATENT OFFICE.

Application filed January 28,- 1929. Serial No. 335,491.

This invention relates to clothes washing machines and has particular reference to the agitator or dasher therein. The objects of the provision of an agitator or dasher which shall operate rapidly and elficiently' on the clothing but Without danger of tangling or injuring the same; the provision of an agitator transmitting to the tub contents a type of motion having a vertical thrust; while further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the drawings accompanying and forminga part of this application I have shown certain illustrative embodiments of my invention, both separately and in operative position in a specimen form of tub'or casing. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View through a washing machine showing one of my improved agitators in side elevation; Fig. 2 is a sectional view corresponding to the line 22 of Fig. 1 and showing my improved dasher in plan; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the dasher viewed from a different angle from that in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a side elevation and Fig. 5 a top plan View of'a modified form of dasher; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of anothermodification; Fig. 7 is a detail view showing one mode of locking the dasher to the operating shaft; and Fig. 7 shows a slightly modified detail of latch.

My improved agitator is of the well-known oscillatory type adapted to be applied to the top of a vertical shaft 1 which is journaled in a suitable bearing sleeve 2 mounted in the bottom 3 of a liquid containing tub or casing 4. Preferably this agitator is formed at its lower end with a circular disk 5, either conical as shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive or flat as shown at 5 in Fig. 6, and the tub bottom may well be formed outside of this disk .with an annular depression 6 adapted to receive buttons, pins, marbles, gravel, and other accidental articles sometimes found in clothing. The agitator is also formed with a socket 7 opening from below as shown in Fig. 7 and adapted for attachment to the shaft 1, the preferablemode being to provide the shaft with a suitable fluted or channeled head 8 whereby the dasher is positively driven and supported. Except for the depression 6 the above described construction is common in washing machines, and said channel is itself illustrated and claimed in my patent application Serial No. 281,455, filed May 29,

Rising from the upper surface of the disk 5 is a freestanding-blade having at least a aussuui part thereof approximately heliooid in shape,

that is to say: the outer margin 10 of the blade is inclined obliquely relative to the socket-axis, substantially after the manner of a helix, while the middle of the blade substantially contains the axis of the socket so that the blade comprises at least upon one side of the axis as shown in Fig. 6, and preferably upon both sides of the axis as shown in the other views, a free-standing slanting portion, both faces of which are exposed directly to liquid contact and exhibit a washing function. In order to prevent the formation of an unduly narrow and pointed pocket at the point of intersection of blade and disk, the direction of the blade margin is preferably changed adjacent to the disk as shown at 11 in Figs. 1 and 3 and at 12 in Fig. 4, so

as to produce a comparatively wide and shallow pocket, adapted during the rotation of" the agitator in one direction to catch the'liquid and propel it vigorously in the direction of rotation; and for the purpose of enhancing this pocketing, the surfaceof the blade is preferably cupped at this point as indicated at 13. Likewise at its upper end, the blade, instead of being continued along the slant defined by the helicoid portion 10 has its margin turned eith 2r straight upwardly as shown at 14 in Fig. 1, or even retroverted as shown at 15 in Fig. 4, so as in effect to define a second pocket 16 facing in the opposite direction than the pocket 13 but at a higher level. In order to emphasize the liquid-propreferably curved horizontally at this point in a direction opposite to the direction of curvature at the level of the pockets 13. Accordingly the preferred form of blade exhib- 5 its an ogee curve in horizontal section at the level of the pockets 13, a reversed ogee curve in horizontal section at the higher level of the pockets 16, and a series of curves of intermediate curvature at horizontal sections intermediate there-between; audit is particularly in this intermediate section that the margins of the blade are so slanted as to exhibit an approximate helicoid configuration and a substantial propeller action in a vertical direction.

Substantially the only difference between the device shown in Figs. 1 to 3, and that shown in Figs. 4: and 5, is that the latter device exhibits more pronounced curvatures; while that in Fig. 6 exhibits a lop-sided blade, and more uniform curvature.

In use this dasher is vigorously oscillated about a vertical axis. During that part of the stroke which is clockwise in. direction the pockets 13 catch the liquid and propel it horizontally with considerable force, the helicoid portion of the blade meanwhile drawing the liquid powerfully downward; during the counterclockwise part of the stroke the pockets 16 catch and propel the liquid at the higher level powerfully in the opposite direction from the pockets 13, and also the helicoid portions of the blade thrust the tub-contents powerfully upward. The result is a very rapid and thorough mixing and agitation of the entire contents of the tub which results in an eflicient washing of the fabrics therein. A further advantage of the device is that this washing action is largely independent of the 40 depth of liquid or the amount of clothing in the tube. While I consider the optimum condition to be that wherein the liquid level approximately coincides with the top of the blade, still a considerable variation from this level in either direction is permissible. So vigorous is the propeller action as actually to lift the agitator off the shaft unless it is either made very heavy or else tightly secured thereto; and to effect such securing I preferably provide the exterior of the socket-boss 7 with a latch consisting of a spring-shank 20 fastened at its upper end as shown at 21 and having at its lower end a hooked nose 22 projecting through an aperture 23 in such wise as to engage the lower edge of the head 8. I have shown the hook as also provided with a lug 24 by which it can be released; or the hook can be formed with a slanting end 22 as shown in Fig. 7 which will become disen- 60 gaged upon a predetermined degree of vertical pull greater than that produced by the propeller action alone.

, I have shown the blade as exhibiting substantially the same horizontal width from 65 top to bottom, but this detail is of course subject to much variation, as is also the curvature of difierent parts. It will also be understood that certain of the features herein described are capable of independent use, or of consolidation with other features not herein shown; as for example that the helicoid portion of the blade can be used without pockets, or the pockets without the helicoid portion, or either with auxiliary features not herein shown. Accordingly I do not limit myself to the details illustrated and described except as the same are specifically recited in my several claims which I desire may be construed broadly each independently of limitations contained in other claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is:

1. An agitator for clothes washing machines having'a disk, an attachment for an upright shaft and a blade rising from said disk having at least a part approximately helicoid in shape with the helicoid axis substantially coinciding with the socket axis, and said blade or vane having upper and lower washing surfaces.

2. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a helicoid blade exposed on both faces and a circular base rigid therewith.

3. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a horizontal circular disk and an upright blade rising therefrom and having at least a part thereof approximately helicoidaland exposed on both faces.

4. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a horizontal circular disk and an upright blade rising therefrom, the center of said blade coinciding substantially with the axis of said disk and its lateral margins conforming substantially at least in part 105 with two similar helices.

5. An agitator having a circular bottomdisk and a blade rising therefrom and projecting in opposite directions from the disk axis. the margins of said blade being oblique to said axis whereby slanting portions are produced which give rise to vertical currents as the agitator is oscillated.

6. An agitator comprising a circular disk 11 and a blade rising therefrom whose center 5 substantially includes the axis of said disk and whose margin defines a line which is in part oblique to said axis whereby a slanting portion is produced which gives rise to ver- 120 tical currents as the agitator is oscillated.

7. An agitator for clothes Washing machines having an upright blade formed at different elevations with oppositely facing pockets for circulating the washing liquid 125 at such levels in opposite directions'as the agitator is oscillated.

8. An agitator for clothes washing machines having oppositely cupped portions fixedly mounted at different levels adapted 130 upon oscillation about the vertical axis to move the liquid in opposite directions.

9. An agitator for clothes washing machines having a circular disk and a freestanding vertical blade whose lateral margins progress spirally about the axis of oscillation, and a driving attachment on the 0pposite side of the disk. i

10. An agitator having a horizontal disk and an inclined blade rising therefrom with Washing. surfaces on itsupper and lower faces.

11. An agitator having a horizontal disk and' a thin blade rising therefrom, the vertical margins of said blade defining a sinuous line and the center of the blade a substantially straight line.

12. An agitator for clothes washing machines having an upright blade symmetrical about the axis of motion having at opposite sides of the axis and upon opposite faces of the blade two oppositely facing pockets and also having at a reater distance along the axis two other poc ets opposite to each other and to said first pockets.

13. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a circulardisk and an upstanding blade carried thereby having 0ppositely facing reversely slanted portions at different vertical levels.

14. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a circular disk and an upstanding blade having oppositely facing pockets located at different vertical levels.

15. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a generally upright blade symmetrically disposed about a vertical axis and having liquid propelling pockets located upon opposite sides of said axis and oppositely disposed with respect to each other and also having slanting portions at a different level from said pockets.

16. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a generally upright blade symmetrically disposed about a vertical axis and having liquid propelling pockets located in pairs and arranged both side by side and one above the other, each pocket being turned oppositely to its neighbor in each direction.

17. An agitator for clothes Washing machines characterized by the possession of an upstanding blade the upper and lower margins of which are angularlydisposed with respect to each other in their respective horizontal planes.

18. An agitator for clothes washing machines characterized by the possession of an upright helicoid blade having a washing surface on each face, a socket for. a driving shaft, and means for securing said agitator to said shaft against the vertical pull ofthe blade.

19. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a blade having an ogee 8.5 curve in horizontal section at one level and a reversed ogee curve in horizontal section at a different level.

20. An agitator for clothes washing machines comprising a blade having an ogee curve in horizontal section at one level and a reversed ogee curve in horizontal section at a difierent level, the horizontal section at an intermediate level being substantially straight, and the surface of the blade at such intermediate level being substantially helicoid on both faces.

21. An agitator for clothes washing'machines constructed to be driven through the tub bottom and comprising a circular disk adapted to overlie closely a part only of the a tub bottom and a helicoid blade exposed on both faces and rising from the top face of said disk.

22. An agitator for washing machines having a helicoid vane terminating in a circular base.

23. An agitator for a washing machine comprising a circular disk and a blade ,of substantially uniform thickness rigid therewith and oblique thereto, said blade having washing surfaces both above and below.

24. In an agitating device, the combination of a receptacle, a shaft projecting into the receptacle, means for imparting alternating rotary movement to the shaft relative to the receptacle, a sleeve secured to said shaft and having a vane secured thereto and disposed radially with respect to the axis of the sleeve, said vane having a sinuous curvature longitudinally of said axis.

'25. An agitating element comprising a body portion adapted to be rotatably mount.- ed and a vane secured to said body portion and disposed radially with reference to the axis of rotation, said' vane having a sinuous curvature along the length of its axis.

26. An agitating element comprising a body portion adapted to bemounted for rotation and a vane secured to the body portion and disposed radially with reference to the axis of rotation, said vane having a portion which is bowed with its convexity disposed in the direction of its rotation, whereby there is a tendency to create a vacuum in the rear of the vane.

27. In a clothes washing machine, the combination of a receptacle having a bottom and sides, a shaft projecting-through said bottom into said receptacle, means for imparting alternating rotary movement to said shaft relative to said receptacle, a circular disk secured to said shaft adjacent to said bottom,

and a washing vane rising from the upper sides, a shaft projecting through said bottom into said receptacle, means for imparting alternating rotary movement to said shaft relative to said receptacle, a circular disk secured to said shaft adjacent to said bottom, and two symmetrically arranged vanes rising from the upper surface of said disk, said vanes facing in opposite directions and making oblique angles with said disk.

29. In a clothes washing machine, the combination of a receptacle having a bottom and sides, a shaft projecting through said bottom into said receptacle, means for imparting alternating rotary movement to said shaft relative to said receptacle, a circular disk secured to said shaft adjacent to said bottom, and a vane rising from the up er surface of said disk having a washing sur ace oblique to the vertical and terminating at the top in a laterally facing cupped portion.

30. In a clothes washing machine, the com bination of a receptacle having a bottom and sides, a shaft projecting through said bottom into said receptacle, means for imparting alternating rotary movement to said shaft relative to said receptacle, a circular disk secured to said shaft adjacent to said bottom, and two symmetrically arranged vanes rising from the upper surface of said disk, each vane having a washing surface which is oblique to the vertical and terminating at its upper end in a laterally facing cupped portion.

31. An agitating element for clothes washing machine, comprising a disk portion and a pair of oppositely facing vanes rising from the upper surface of said disk and having their faces oblique with respect to the bottom of said disk, and means for securing said agitating element to a shaft with the axis of said shaft perpendicular to said disk and oblique to said vanes.

32. A washing machine impeller comprising a horizontal disk having a central hub,

' and a plurality of substantially radial blades having their inner ends joined to said hub, the lower edges of said blades being joined to the upper side of said disk, the outer ends of said blades having integral, inclined wings adapted to create vertical movement of Water.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JAMES B. KIRBY. 

